Socialist politicians are often taunted by their opponents for leading lifestyles similar to those of their capitalist counterparts. The theme of the taunts runs like this; 'You object on socialist principles to gross inequalities in the distribution of wealth; yet you enjoy a higher personal standard of living than the majority of the population. Therefore you are not really a socialist'. But the jibe can easily be answered, for there is no hypocrisy in arguing, even from a privileged position, for a fairer and more equal society.